The Mahabharata was really between Krishna and Dhritarashtra : Girija Shankar

Mathura, 2011.01.24 (DJ): In town as a part of Brahmarshi Kumara Swami’s pandal program in Chaumuha, Girija Shankar, who incarnated Dhritarashtra in the Mahabharata teleseries, spoke with Dainik Jagran reporters, giving his insights into the character he played.

“The truth is,” he said, “that the entire Mahabharata is really taking place between Dhritarashtra and Krishna. All the rest of the Kauravas and Pandavas are simply their instruments. Historical evidence supports this viewpoint. The fact is that Dhritarashtra was no less a Krishna devotee than anyone else.”

Attending the Brahmarshi event with several other actors who participated in the Mahabharata and Ramayana TV series, Girija Shankar said that these realizations had come to him progressively as he participated in this historic television event.

Giving evidence of how Dhritarashtra had demonstrated devotion to Krishna at various moments during the epic, he said, “When Krishna revealed his universal form in the court of Dhritarashtra, both the Kauravas and Pandavas were present, but only the blind king could see it. Krishna only gave him divine sight. Then afterwards, Dhritarashtra said, ‘Leave me blind. After this I do not want to see anything else.’

Though he had previously played in several TV series, Shankar said that at first he had been reluctant to take on the role when Director Chopra proposed it to him. Afterwards, however, after reading up on the character, he became fascinated by it and decided that he fit the role.

Commenting on Brahmarshi Kumar Swami, Shankar said, “He is showing the path of spirituality just like Krishna did. All saints and gurus are showing the way to the same God. The Swamiji is giving people mantras that directly relate to their personal problems, just as Krishna advised Arjuna directly about his difficulties.”

Nevertheless, he added, “the responsibility for success in spiritual practice belongs to the practitioner himself. The Lord will respond to his or her efforts to the extent that he or she engages in japa, austerities and meditation on the Lord.”